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Looking for the perfect Qatar Itinerary for spending 3 days in Doha, the country’s modern, capital city? This guide takes you around the best sights to include on your Qatar trip. Plus, we share our top travel tips for navigating downtown Doha, and what to include in your packing list.
Read on for an easy-to-follow Qatar 3-day itinerary you will love!
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QATAR ITINERARY: 3 DAYS IN DOHA, QATAR
- QATAR ITINERARY: 3 DAYS IN DOHA, QATAR
- MAP FOR QATAR ITINERARY
- QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 1
- QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 2
- QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 3
- WHERE TO STAY IN DOHA
- WHAT TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?
- HOW TO GET TO DOHA, QATAR
- HOW TO GET AROUND DOHA
- BEST TIME TO VISIT QATAR
- WHAT TO WEAR IN DOHA
- OTHER THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING QATAR
On a recent visit to Qatar, our Doha Itinerary uncovered prize-winning architecture, impressive Islamic art & living cultural heritage.
We sampled local cuisine, wandered the alleyways of a bustling local Souq, perused impressive museums, and left with unforgettable memories of this emerging metropolis city in the Middle East.
Whilst you can enjoy Doha’s main sights in 24 hours, 3 days in Doha gives you the chance to explore charming neighbourhoods, uncover cultural gems, and experience thrilling desert adventures.
MAP FOR QATAR ITINERARY
How to use this map: Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps. Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations.
QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 1
Kickstart your Qatar itinerary in Downtown Doha, the hub around which the city revolves. Explore museums, wander local neighbourhoods, and stroll a bustling market.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR
Begin by enjoying breakfast at Desert Rose Café, at the National Museum, the perfect spot to admire the direct reference to the museum’s impressive architecture.
The museum’s striking façade is the brainchild of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, and features interlocking cantilevered disks. The overall design recreates the naturally occurring crystal formations known as the desert rose.
Housing 11 interconnecting galleries over 430,500 square feet, the museum guides you through the history of Qatar’s heritage through the years, to present day, brought to life through different media.
Each gallery offers a multi-sensory experience including archaeological and heritage objects, manuscripts, photographs. Be sure to check out the various temporary, and permanent exhibitions, and the park area outside.
Suggested Length of Visit is 2 hours. Tickets must be booked in advance with your chosen entry time slot. Opening Hours + cost should be checked on the main website before your visit. Nearest Metro Station is National Museum, on the Gold line.
MSHEIREB MUSEUMS
Hop on the metro and take a train from National Museum station, to Msheireb station.
Originally a main trading area, this centrally located neighbourhood now forms the heart of Doha’s cultural district. It stands as the world’s first fully built smart and sustainable city district, boasting Gold or Platinum LEED-certified buildings.
Blending Qatar’s architectural heritage with modern design, there is a mix of business and residential spaces, retail shops, 3 Mosques, and 4 high-end hotels.
Msheireb Museums is a project that celebrates the history of Qatar through four heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Restored and transformed into museums, they provide an insight into the traditional way of life, development of Doha, the contribution of formerly enslaved people, and Doha moving into the future.
Suggested Length of Visit is 2 hours. All Museums are free to visit. Opening Hours should be checked on the main website before your visit. Nearest Metro Station is Msheireb on the Gold line, Red line, and Green line.
LUNCH – HARRODS TEA ROOM
There are numerous places to eat near Msheireb Museums, but we recommend you lap up the attentive service at Harrods Tea Room. Relaxing surroundings, and top-notch food awaits.
SOUQ WAQIF
After lunch head to Souq Waqif, a 5-minute walk away.
Although remodelled in past years, this bustling market with its mud-daubed buildings, remains a hub of activity, and is a great spot to view traditional street life.
Qatar was at the heart of the pearl industry, and the owner of the pearl shop, a former pearl diver, loves to chat about pearling, and show visitors the many varieties of white, pink, and grey pearls.
Wander the labyrinth of perfumed alleyways to discover spices, perfume, woven fabrics, rugs, and trinkets. Stallholders normally shut up shop between 2 and 3pm, however this makes a great chance to wander around.
There are several attractions to check out so pop into the Souq Waqif Information & Tourism Centre for a map.
- Pigeon Square and Gardens on the northern side of the souq.
- Falcon Souq & Falcon Hospital: As the National bird of Qatar, Falconry is a traditional Qatari sport. See these majestic birds at close-hand, and the care they receive at the largest hospital for falcons in the world.
- Camel Pen & Emiri Stables: view doe-eyed camels, and beautiful Arabian horses. If you’re lucky you might see them taking the heritage police on their daily rounds of the souq.
- Souq Waqif Art Centre: showcases the works of local and visiting artists, which you can also purchase. Even if art doesn’t interest you, the interior of the building is a worthy sight decorated with beautiful woodwork, hand-painted tiles, and colourful lanterns.
Suggested Length of Visit is 1-2 hours.
Souq Waqif is free to visit anytime.
Opening Hours check on the main website before your visit but closes about 10pm.
Nearest Metro Station is Souq Waqif on the Gold Line.
SOUQ WAQIF PARK, THE CORNICHE AND DHOW HARBOUR
Leave Souq Waqif by the Camel Pen and cut through scenic Souq Waqif Park. Look back to get a great view of the spiral-shaped building of Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar Masjid)
The Corniche offers fantastic views of Doha’s iconic skyline across to West Bay. Pass the Pearl Monument, a sculpture depicting an open oyster shell with running water. Continue to Dhow Boat Harbour with its wooden boats bobbing up and down in the water.
If you fancy a boat ride across the Bay, you can take a dhow boat cruise which gives you a different viewpoint from the water.
You can get some wonderful views from Doha Skyline Point, and Doha Skyline Viewpoint which are marked on your itinerary map.
Retrace your steps to Souq Waqif, which is a popular place to hang out particularly after dusk. All the stalls will be open, and lit up well into the evening, so enjoy people watching, and shopping.
DINNER
For dinner head to one of the many eateries around the souq. In the central courtyard you can buy street food staples from samosas and stuffed vine leaves to meat stews and sweet dumplings.
We recommend Yemeni Bander Aden Restaurant for a traditional dining experience, or Parisa Persian Restaurant, with its elaborate interiors studded with intricate mirror work and hand-painted artworks.
QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 2
After the enthralling blend of cultural history yesterday, spend day two of your Doha Qatar itinerary exploring some of the modern man-made sides of the city.
BREAKFAST AT VOLUME CAFE
Take the metro to Legtaifiya Metro Station, then take a taxi or Uber to Qanat Quartier Drive (outside Hilton Doha The Pearl). From here walk along the Quartier Canal to Volume Café. Enjoy breakfast a one of the tables outside, overlooking the canal.
THE PEARL
Man-made Pearl Island is a masterpiece of design, and a leisurely place for a stroll. Featuring Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, residential towers, villas, and hotels, the area also has premium designer boutiques and retail shops.
The Pearl Island is offshore the West Bay District, and is divided into three main areas:
Qanat Quartier: a Venice-inspired neighbourhood with its colourful buildings, canals, and bridges.
- The Piano Stairs: walk along the steps which emit melody tones and blink through musical notes and sound effects. (on one of the staircases overlooking Qanat Quartier’s retail area).
- The Pearl Photo Walk: take a journey through time with the newly connected Photo Walk Underpass, linking Qanat Quartier and Porto Arabia. Learn about the history of The Pearl Island and its remarkable development.
Porto Arabia: a modern Mediterranean district, featuring luxurious yachts and eateries.
- Take in the scenic waterfront views from the boardwalk.
Medina Centrale: with its plazas, and gardens, along with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops.
- The Pearl Fountain: musical shows featuring holographic visual effects and dazzling lasers every hour from 6 pm. Located in front of Burj Al Hamam and Chocolate Jar.
Ronautica Middle East run electric-powered water shuttles around Porto Arabia or Qanat Quartier if you fancy seeing a view from the water.
Suggested Length of Visit is 1-2 hours.
The Pearl is free to visit anytime.
Nearest Metro Station is Legtaifiya on the Red Line. From here, you can take the M110 Metrolink bus, or hop in a taxi or Uber.
After exploring the pedestrian-lined squares, take an Uber or taxi back to Legtaifiya metro station, and continue on the red line for one stop, alighting at Katara metro station.
KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE
Katara Cultural Village is a self-styled cultural and entertainment venue, combining museums, art galleries, and restaurants. At its centre is an amphitheatre standing against a backdrop of cobbled streets, and traditional architecture.
Open all day with free admission, this is a relaxing place to stroll around, exploring different sights. Bordered by a large sandy beach on one side, and the twin Katara Hills on the other, some of the top things to do here include:
- The Amphitheatre: Reflecting Islamic influences, this 3,275 sqm space offers fantastic views from its arched entrances. The impressive art installation “Force of Nature” depicts humanity’s powerlessness in the face of nature.
- Katara Mosque: The work of architect Zeynep Fadilloglu, the exterior of the mosque has beautiful blue and gold tile and enamel work. You’ll need to take off your shoes and cover your head, shoulders, and knees before entering.
- Pigeon Towers: These oblong structures with holes and perches for pigeons can be seen next to the mosque.
- Gold Mosque: Facing the amphitheatre, its gold tiling glints in the sunlight making it quite striking.
- Art Galleries: You will find some inspiring artwork tucked away in the various alleyways.
Suggested Length of Visit is 2-3 hours. Katara Cultural Village is free to visit anytime. Nearest Metro Station is Katara on the Red Line.
LUNCH
You have plenty of choice for lunch venues depending on how hungry you are. Try Chapati & Karak for wraps and tea, or Snan Food Hall Cafe for wonderful cakes with a view. After lunch grab a taxi outside Galeries Lafayette and get dropped off at MIA Park carpark.
MIA PARK
Head north through this picturesque park joining the palm-tree lined arc-shaped walkway. The East Mound-Skyline Viewpoint affords wonderful views across Doha Bay. At the end of the walkway is a tall steel tower structure by Richard Serra.
Inspired by a minaret, the 7-sided artwork reflects Islamic culture & is 78 feet high. I must confess it just looked rusty to me, however the view of the MIA from here is pretty good.
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
Retrace your steps along the walkway to the museum entrance. We advise reserving tickets in advance so you can select your preferred time slot.
The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Islamic Art spread over four floors of galleries. Located on a purpose-built island the stunning architectural building was designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect I.M. Pei.
Take your time to explore 14 centuries of Islamic art and artefacts from around the world. Some of the stand-out items include:
- The Shahnameh Manuscript, written by Persian poet Ferdowsi a thousand years ago.
- The Planispheric Astrolabe, made in 10th century Iraq.
- A large carved Emerald Plaque from the 16th century.
- Views from the various plazas.
Suggested Length of Visit is 2 hours. Tickets can be booked in advance with your chosen entry time slot. IDAM Restaurant should be booked in advance (closed Friday & Saturday) Opening Hours + cost should be checked on the main website before your visit. Nearest Metro Station is National Museum, on the Gold line.
DINNER
End your visit with dinner at IDAM restaurant by renowned chef Alain Ducasse, on the fifth floor. Enjoy contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with a twist of eclectic Arabian flavours.
The views of Doha’s Corniche and skyline from here are spectacular, and a great way to end the day as the sun sets.
QATAR ITINERARY | DAY 3
Spend your last day experiencing life beyond the city. Discover the stark beauty of the undulating sand dunes, on a desert safari.
BREAKFAST
We suggest grabbing breakfast in your hotel, before being picked up for your Qatar tour. Bear in mind that it is not recommended that you eat 2-3 hours before the trip to avoid sickness during the dune bashing.
DESERT SAFARI TOUR
The desert is an integral part of local culture, and in days gone by, Bedouin tribes would set up camp here while grazing their animals and engaging in trade.
Most Qatar tours are private which means that while they may cost slightly more than a shared tour, you will have a more personalized tour. You can choose a half-day tour which is 4-5 hours, or a full-day tour.
Tours can include several of the following experiences/sights, namely:
- Dune-bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, falcon experience, and quad biking.
- The ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid, a UNESCO recognized site, which is one of the few places in the world where the sea meets the desert.
The following highly rated tours can be booked through GetYourGuide, who we use ourselves, and can recommend. Most tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Pick-up from your hotel is included in the price.
AFTERNOON
If you opted for a half-day tour, you should be back at your hotel by 2pm, leaving the rest of the afternoon to relax by the hotel pool. For those looking to squeeze in more sightseeing we have some suggestions you may like.
- Fire Station Museum: a contemporary art gallery located in an original fire station. Adjacent to Al-Bidda Park, Corniche station on the Red line, is the nearest metro station.
- Qatar National Library: At its heart is the heritage library, but diamond shaped exterior designed by Rem Koolhaas, is quite beautiful. Take the metro Green Line to National Library Station.
- Villaggio Mall: for luxury shopping and plenty of cafes.
DINNER
For dinner with a view snag a table at Al Shurfa Arabic Lounge to enjoy Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. It’s a great place to hang out looking out over the heart of old Doha and the busy Souq Waqif.
WHERE TO STAY IN DOHA
There are numerous styles of accommodation in Doha, and with an array of efficient transport options to get you around the city, it doesn’t really matter where you stay.
However, to maximize this Qatar itinerary you may like to stay in a more central neighbourhood.
WHAT TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?
Doha is a popular place for a good reason, and some attractions need to be booked in advance.
- National Museum of Qatar – Book your chosen time slot in advance.
- Parisa Persian Restaurant – Book a table to avoid being disappointed.
- Museum of Islamic Art – Book your chosen time slot in advance.
- IDAM Restaurant – Book a table to avoid being disappointed.
- Desert Safari – Book with tour free cancellation.
- Al Shurfa Arabic Lounge – Book a table for dinner.
HOW TO GET TO DOHA, QATAR
Qatar is a very accessible destination with good flight connections from other countries. Hamad International Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride to the centre of Doha.
HOW TO GET AROUND DOHA
Qatar’s public transportation system is efficient, clean, easy to use, and incredibly cheap. We suggest you travel around the city via the metro which connect several top sights.
Save time getting to attractions slightly further afield by taking an Uber or taxi, which again are very cheap. I have a whole post on the different types of transport, and how to use them, so give it a read before you arrive.
BEST TIME TO VISIT QATAR
One of the best tips for travelling to Qatar, is timing your visit between October and May, as temperatures are warm, but manageable for most visitors. Whilst you can visit year-round, Qatar enjoys a desert climate, and summer temperatures can reach the mid 40’s degree Celsius.
We visited Doha in mid-February, and the temperature was comfortable for walking around outside.
WHAT TO WEAR IN DOHA
While visitors do not have to wear a headscarf or abaya, remember that Qatar is a Muslim country. Dress conservatively, and modestly, covering your shoulders and knees.
- Wear loose-fitting tops, and blouses with a shawl if your shoulders are bare. Opt for pretty designs, casual t-shirts, and stylish tops.
- Maxi dresses are cool, and comfortable. A pretty maxi dress with a t-shirt underneath will feel cool and look stylish. They can take you from daytime to evening when you want a classier look.
- Scarves are ideal as a cover-up. They come in light fabrics, pretty designs, and bright colours.
- Pack clothes in packing cubes, and wear flipflops or flat sandals in the daytime.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and water bottle.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING QATAR
- Currency: the Qatari Riyal is the only currency used in the country.
- Language: the official language is Arabic, but English is commonly spoken.
- Time Zone: GMT +3
- Qatar Weekend: Friday & Saturday
- Traffic: driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
- Electric Supply: standard voltage is 240 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. Plug sockets are the same as in the UK. Otherwise, a voltage converter is needed.
- Qatar Visa Requirements: visitors from more than 95 countries around the world are permitted to enter Qatar with a visa upon arrival at the country’s entry points.
We hope you found this Qatar itinerary, and Doha itinerary helpful. Hopefully you can now plan your own trip using our guide. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
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